Home Office

Asylum: MOD Wethersfield

Baroness Lister of Burtersett: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Sharpe of Epsom on 14 February (HL2168), whether they will now answer the question put; namely, what assessment they have made of the findings of the report Ghettoised and traumatised: the experiences of men held in quasi-detention in Wethersfield, published by the Helen Bamber Foundation and Humans for Rights Network on 15 December 2023, and their implications for housing asylum seekers at MDP Wethersfield.

Lord Sharpe of Epsom: The Home Office dispute the findings of the report. Many of the points raised in the report are factually incorrect and the report has not been written following an ‘inspection’ or visit of the site to gain first-hand experience/evidence/knowledge.The site at Wethersfield provides safe and secure non detained accommodation for asylum seekers who are free to come and go.The welfare of asylum seekers is our utmost priority. The Home Office ensures that accommodation provided is adequate and meets the regulatory standards. The Home Office assesses an individual’s suitability to reside at the sites and only accommodates single adult males who are considered suitable to reside there. Guidance on the suitability criteria used can be found here: Allocation of accommodation.An allocation policy and suitability criteria will ensure that no one is housed in accommodation that does not suit them or their needs. If, during their stay, it emerges that an asylum seeker is no longer suitable for the site, they will be moved to different accommodation. The service provider who is running the site on behalf of the Home Office is responsible for the safeguarding of migrants. Our service providers are experienced in managing asylum seeker accommodation in an orderly and secure manner.The Home Office operates a Safeguarding Hub to support vulnerable individuals. Both the Home Office and its accommodation providers have robust processes in place to ensure that where someone is at risk, they are referred to the appropriate statutory agencies of the police, NHS, and social services, to promote appropriate safeguarding interventions.As well as making safeguarding referrals to the appropriate statutory agencies, other actions include attendance at adult protection meetings with the police, and the Home Office liaise with external and internal partners to share information. The statutory agencies retain responsibility for all decisions on intervention activity.All asylum seekers in the UK may contact Migrant Help 24 hours a day, 365 days a year if they need help, advice, or guidance; that includes raising issues relating to safeguarding.

Visas: Skilled Workers

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government, following the Migration Advisory Committee's reportRapid review of the Immigration Salary List, published in February, what assessment they have made of the impact of the increased salary threshold for the Skilled Workers Visa on the ability of UK employers to fill jobs in key shortage areas.

Lord Sharpe of Epsom: Analytical work has been undertaken across Government to support decision making on the increases to the salary threshold for Skilled Workers, and an Impact Assessment will be developed in due course.

Undocumented Migrants

Lord Scriven: To ask His Majesty's Government howmany individuals have arrived into the UK via irregular routes since 7 March 2023; and of those individuals, how many have a case for refugee status started by the Home Office.

Lord Sharpe of Epsom: The Home Office publishes statistics on irregular arrivals to the UK in the ‘Irregular migration to the UK statistics’ release on gov.uk. Data on irregular arrivals from 2018 to 2023 is published in table Irr_D01 of the ‘Irregular migration to the UK detailed datasets’. Data on asylum applications from small boat arrivals and the initial decisions for these applications is published in tables Irr_D02 and Irr_D03 of the ‘Irregular migration to the UK detailed datasets’, with the latest data up to the end of May 2023.The Home Office does not publish data on asylum applications for other irregular arrivals.As shown on table Irr_D03, there were no applications of asylum granted to small boat arrivals who arrived in April and May 2023.Irregular migration to the UK detailed datasets (xlsx, 1261.9KB)

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Democratic Republic of Congo: Rwanda

Baroness Helic: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the extent to which the government of Rwanda is supporting the M23 militia and its incursions into and occupation of Congolese territory; what recent discussions they have had with the governments of France and the United States regarding this issue; and what, if any, representations they have made to the government of Rwanda.

Lord Benyon: The UK Government is alarmed by further escalations of violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and continue to raise this with DRC and Rwandan governments at every appropriate moment. The Minister of State (Development and Africa) met with President Kagame and Foreign Minister Biruta during his visit to Rwanda in late August, where he encouraged de-escalation and emphasised the need for a peaceful political solution. The UK continues to work closely with likeminded countries; our Great Lakes Envoy is currently on a UN-led trip to the region alongside French and US counterparts and will continue to encourage a return to regional political processes over military solutions.

South Sudan: Elections

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the remarks of the chairman of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission that there is a lack of political agreement in South Sudan to enable free and credible elections to take place; and whether they intend to make representations to the government of South Sudan on voter registration and expediting the work of the National Elections Commission.

Lord Benyon: The UK has taken note of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission Chairman's comments and calls on the South Sudanese Government to expand political and civic space. The voices of South Sudan's diverse population, including those who hold opposing views, must be heard to ensure peaceful, credible and inclusive elections. We welcome the passing of South Sudan's National Elections Act in September 2023, but note that this was 13 months behind the transitional government's timelines set out in their Roadmap. We urge the Government of South Sudan to operationalise this law by reconstituting, adequately financing and empowering electoral institutions, including the National Elections Commission.

South Sudan: Elections

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of concerns about a lack of preparedness for the holding of elections in South Sudan, as expressed in thediscussion paperHow (not) to hold elections in South Sudanpublished by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in April 2023.

Lord Benyon: Implementation of South Sudan's Peace Agreement, including election preparations, are behind schedule. The UK continues to press for implementation of South Sudan's Peace Agreement and a peaceful transition to democracy through peaceful, credible and inclusive elections.  We urge the Government of South Sudan to implement a credible electoral process for elections. Electoral credibility, the opening of political and civic space, empowering the armed forces, and the funding and operationalisation of the electoral institutions are necessary to mitigate the risk of violence and allow elections to be as safe and inclusive as possible.

Tunisia: Political Prisoners

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Tunisia on the imprisonment of Rached Ghannouchi and of other opposition figures.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We monitor the political and human rights situation in Tunisia closely. On 18 April 2023, I [Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon] made clear the UK's view that the wave of arrests, including of Rached Ghannouchi and restrictions on political opposition in Tunisia were eroding the space for plurality. I reiterated this message during my meeting with the Tunisian Foreign Minister on 12 October 2023. The Association Council was also an opportunity for the UK to discuss the principles and benefits of an open and democratic society, of legitimate political opposition, the separation of powers, civil society and an inclusive political process.

Chelsea Football Club: Sales

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure the prompt delivery of the pledged £2.5 billion from the sale of Chelsea Football Club to support victims of Russia's invasion of Ukraine; and when they anticipate that this willhappen.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The proceeds from the sale of Chelsea FC are currently frozen in a UK bank account while independent experts establish a foundation to manage and distribute the money. A licence from the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation will then be needed to move the funds to the foundation. We are working as quickly as possible, including with our international partners, to ensure funds are released and reach Ukraine.

Department for Education

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Lord Watson of Invergowrie: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to ratify imminently Optional Protocol 3 to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child relating to a communications procedure; and if not, why.

Baroness Barran: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) Optional Protocol 3 has not, to date, been signed and ratified by the UK government. States are not required to sign up to the Optional Protocols when they ratify the UNCRC.The government believes effective domestic laws already exist where individuals can seek enforceable remedies if their rights have been breached. It is possible for an individual to challenge any government decision in the domestic courts if their rights have been breached, and this includes breaches of children’s rights under the UNCRC.

Schools: Uniforms

Lord Weir of Ballyholme: To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the average costs to parents of providing school uniform for pupils attending (1) primary, and (2) secondary, state schools.

Baroness Barran: The department’s last report on the cost of school uniform, 'Cost of School Uniform 2015', was published in June 2015. This report found the average cost of school uniform was £212.88. At primary level the average cost was £192.14 for boys and £201.04 for girls, and at secondary level the average cost was £231.01 for boys and was £239.93 for girls. The report is attached.In 2021, the department published statutory guidance on the cost of school uniform to ensure uniform is affordable for all families. This states that “school governing boards should give high priority to considerations of cost for parents, and they should be able to demonstrate how best value for money has been achieved when developing or making any change to their uniform policy”. It also sets out that branded items should be kept to a minimum. The guidance came into force in 2022 and is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-school-uniforms/cost-of-school-uniforms.In December 2023, the department ran a repeat of the 2015 survey, asking parents about the cost of school uniform in 2023. The department is currently analysing the resulting data and expects to publish our findings later this spring.HL2818_pdf (pdf, 507.2KB)

Department for Business and Trade

Central Asia and Russia: Defence Equipment

Baroness Hoey: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the amount of drone equipment and heavy machinery going from the UK to Armenia, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan which is then sent on to Russia.

Lord Offord of Garvel: HMG has sanctioned every item that Ukraine has found Russia using on the battlefield to date. This includes goods that could be used for drones and heavy machinery.We maintain a Common High Priority List (CHPL) of items critical to the Russian military, to thwart attempts to circumvent sanctions through third countries.We continue to engage with relevant countries and monitor our exports for signs of circumvention, to do everything we can to ensure that sanctioned UK technologies do not make it to Russia.

Royal Mail: Standards

Lord Birt: To ask His Majesty's Government whatassessment they have made of reports that Royal Mail are not meeting their delivery targets for letters.

Lord Offord of Garvel: As the independent regulator for the postal sector, it is for Ofcom to monitor Royal Mail’s delivery of the universal service obligation and decide how to respond should Royal Mail fail to meet its obligations.Ofcom fined the business £5.6m for failing to meet its service delivery targets in 2022-23 and is closely monitoring Royal Mail’s performance to ensure service issues are addressed as a priority.

Iron and Steel: Safeguard Measures

Lord Watson of Wyre Forest: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Trade Remedies Authority'sinterim finding from its review of the UK's steel safeguard measure, published 21 February, that serious injury would recur to UK producers across all 15 categories of steel if the safeguard measure were to be removed; and how this assessment will influence their response to the Trade Remedies Authority's recommendation that the safeguard measure should be extended.

Lord Johnson of Lainston: The Trade Remedies Authority has published its preliminary findings of their extension review of the steel safeguard measure. Their review remains ongoing, and the Department for Business and Trade cannot comment further nor prejudice their final recommendation.

Iron and Steel: Safeguard Measures

Lord Watson of Wyre Forest: To ask His Majesty's Government when they willrespond to the Trade Remedies Authority's interim findings of its review of the UK's steel safeguard measure, published 21 February, in particular its proposal for extending the safeguard for a further two years; and what steps they are taking to ensure that the UK steel industry remains protected from import surges in line with the Trade Remedies Authority recommendations.

Lord Johnson of Lainston: The Trade Remedies Authority has published its preliminary findings of their extension review of the steel safeguard measure. Their review remains ongoing, and the Department for Business and Trade cannot comment further nor prejudice their final recommendation.

Piracy: Red Sea

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to supportexporters affected by delays and higher shipping costs as a result of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.

Lord Offord of Garvel: The Department of Business and Trade is closely monitoring the Red Sea situation and we are proactively engaging with key businesses to identify trade issues, offer support on the crisis and updating businesses on the latest supply chain information. More broadly, our membership in Operation Prosperity Guardian demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring the Red Sea is safe for seafarers and traders to use. Our Critical Imports and Supply Chains Strategy will help UK business build the secure and reliable supply chains vital to the UK’s economic prosperity, national security and essential services. UK businesses can access DBT’s wealth of export support via Great.gov.uk. This comprises a digital self-serve offer and our wider network of support, including trade advisors, export champions, the Export Academy, International Markets network, and UK Export Finance.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Arms Length Management Organisations

Baroness Kennedy of Cradley: To ask His Majesty's Government how many arms-length management organisations there are in England.

Baroness Swinburne: We do not collect this information centrally. However, the National Federation of ALMOs’ latest publicity suggests that there are currently 19 arms-length management organisations in England: https://www.almos.org.uk/about-us/our-members/.  The National Federation of ALMOs' (pdf, 505.7KB)

Social Rented Housing: Investment

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the National Housing Federation reportThe economic impact of building social housing, published in February, what assessment they have made of the economic benefits gained by investing in social housing.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: Government’s £11.5 billion Affordable Homes Programme (AHP) for 2021-26 funds the construction of tens of thousands of homes across the country. These include homes for rent, for low-cost home ownership, and specialist and supported housing. It offers strong value for money. The National Audit Offices estimates that for every £1 the programme spent, the programme provides £2.70 in economic and societal benefits.Since 2010, Government has delivered over 696,100 new affordable homes, including over 482,000 affordable homes for rent, of which over 172,600 were homes for social rent.

Local Government: Bankruptcy

Lord Scriven: To ask His Majesty's Government how many councils have indicatedthat they are in financial distress and may have to issue a section 114 notice within the next two years.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: Individual councils are responsible for managing their budgets, and any decision to issue a Section 114 report is made locally. We stand ready to speak to any council that has concerns about its ability to manage its finances or faces pressures it has not planned for.The Government monitors the financial health of local authorities on a regular basis using a wide range of data as well as through extensive direct engagement with councils.The final Local Government Finance Settlement for 2024-25 makes available up to £64.7 billion, an increase in Core Spending Power of up to £4.5 billion or 7.5% in cash terms on 2023-24 – an above inflation increase. This Settlement includes additional measures worth £600 million announced on 24 January.On the 29 February, the Government published details of financial flexibilities agreed with a small number of other councils that requested financial support on an exceptional basis, due to specific local issues that they are unable to manage themselves.

Local Government: Bankruptcy

Lord Laming: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report from the Local Government Information Unit, The State of Local Government Finance in England 2024, published on 28 February, which suggests that half the councils in England will face bankruptcy within the next Parliament.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: I refer the Noble Lord to the written statement made by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities HCWS241 and by the Minister for Local Government HCWS300 on 5 February.The final Local Government Finance Settlement for 2024-25 makes available up to £64.7 billion, an increase in Core Spending Power of up to £4.5 billion or 7.5% in cash terms on 2023-24 – an above inflation increase. This Settlement includes additional measures worth £600 million announced on 24 January.On the 29 February, the Government published details of financial flexibilities agreed with a small number of other councils that requested financial support on an exceptional basis, due to specific local issues that they are unable to manage themselves. Nearly three quarters of the support announced relates to six councils where there has been severe local failure, forcing the government to step in and take action through statutory intervention.As a result of this action by Government, we anticipate that all councils will be able to set a balanced budget and continue to deliver vital services for their communities.HCWS241 (pdf, 110.7KB)HCWS300 (pdf, 76.8KB)

Ministry of Defence

Veterans: Radiation Exposure

Lord Watson of Wyre Forest: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the findings of the First-tier Tribunal ruling relating to the appeal of Jane O’Connor against the Ministry of Defence [2024] UKFTT 00153 (GRC), regarding the health impacts on veterans exposed to radiation during nuclear tests; and what steps they intend to take in response.

Lord Watson of Wyre Forest: To ask His Majesty's Government, following the First-tier Tribunal ruling on the appeal of Jane O’Connor against the Ministry of Defence [2024] UKFTT 00153 (GRC), what plans they have to reassess procedures for access to historical records relating to the health outcomes of nuclear test veterans.

Lord Watson of Wyre Forest: To ask His Majesty's Government what specific actions they areconsideringto address the findings of the First-tier Tribunal on the appeal of Jane O’Connor against the Ministry of Defence [2024] UKFTT 00153 (GRC), particularly in relation to the welfare and recognition of nuclear test veterans.

The Earl of Minto: The First-tier Tribunal decision is currently being reviewed. The Tribunal has allowed each respondent 28 calendar days, which is the 25 March 2024, to consider the outcome and decide upon any next steps in terms of an appeal; or whether to accept the decision. It therefore would not be appropriate to comment further on this, or any future handling procedures relating to access to medical records of deceased personnel, until such a decision has been made.

AWE Aldermaston: Personal Records

Lord Watson of Wyre Forest: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the findings of the First-tier Tribunal in the appeal of Jane O’Connor against the Ministry of Defence [2024] UKFTT 00153 (GRC), what assessment they have made of the accessibility of the 150 records withheld by AWE Aldermaston; and what plans they have to review of the accessibility of these records.

The Earl of Minto: My right hon. Friend the Minister for Defence People and Families will be visiting the Atomic Weapons Establishment shortly to personally review the information and consider its release into the public domain.

Armed Forces: Gender

Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: To ask His Majesty's Government what was the gender breakdown of people leaving the Armed Forces in each year from 2010 to 2023.

The Earl of Minto: The information requested by the noble Lady can be found on the attached excel spreadsheet.Annex to HL2828 (xlsx, 40.6KB)

Defence Business Services: Staff

Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: To ask His Majesty's Government how many sexual harassment specialists are employed in Defence Business Services.

The Earl of Minto: 43 HR caseworkers are employed in Defence Business Services, who advise on HR processes including claims received for sexual harassment cases.

Ministry of Defence: Gender

Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent: To ask His Majesty's Government what is the gender breakdown of (1) people currently employed by the Ministry of Defence and associated agencies, and (2) civil servants employed by the Ministry of Defence, by grade.

The Earl of Minto: The information requested by the noble Lady can be found on the attached excel spreadsheet.MOD and Agencies; Gender Breakdown (xlsx, 20.0KB)

Department of Health and Social Care

Maternity Services: Finance

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the additional £165 million of annual funding provided by NHS England to improve maternity and neonatal care, which will rise to £186 million a year this year, and how this will directly improve babies’ health and development outcomes.

Lord Markham: The investment within maternity and neonatal services supports the delivery of NHS England's three-year delivery plan, which will make maternity and neonatal care safer, more personalised, and more equitable for women and babies.The plan outlines the investment we are making in listening to women and families, growing, retaining, and supporting our workforce, developing, and sustaining a culture of safety, and underpinning more personalised and equitable care. The plan sets out success measures for trusts, integrated care systems, and NHS England, to monitor the impacts and improvements at every level.

Genito-urinary Medicine: Expenditure

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of cuts in sexual health services from £14.41 per head in 2013–14 to £9.58 per head in 2022–23.

Lord Markham: We have provided cash growth in the Public Health Grant each year over the 2021 Spending Review period. In 2024/25, this will increase to £3.603 billion, providing local authorities with an average 2.1% cash increase compared to 2023/24.Local government is well placed to make decisions about the services that best meet the needs of their local populations. It is the responsibility of local authorities working with local partners, including the National Health Service via integrated care systems, to commission different kinds of services to fit local circumstances and priorities.

Genito-urinary Medicine: Finance

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the costs of additional inpatient hospital care for sexually transmitted infections resulting from cuts in funding for sexual health services.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of analysis by the Guardian which found that funding for testing and treating sexually transmitted infections fell by 33 per cent since 2013, and what assessment they have made of the consequential additional costs to the NHS.

Lord Markham: Local authorities are responsible for commissioning comprehensive open access to most sexual health services. Dedicated sexual health services play a key public health role in diagnosis, early treatment, and management of sexually transmitted infections. Individual local authorities are responsible for making funding and commissioning decisions, working with local partners including the National Health Service via the integrated care systems, about the sexual health services that best meet the needs of their local populations through the Public Health Grant, including online and in-person provision. In 2023/24, we allocated more than £3.5 billion to local authorities in England to fund public health services, including sexual health services, through the Public Health Grant. In 2024/25, the total Public Health Grant to local authorities will be £3.603 billion. This will provide local authorities with an average 2.1% cash increase compared to 2023/24.

Facial Palsy and Paralysis: Disability

Baroness Merron: To ask His Majesty's Government whether (1) facial paralysis, and (2) facial palsy, are primarily recognised as a disability of communication.

Baroness Merron: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to respond to the survey by Facial Palsy UK published on 1 March, and if so when; and what assessment they have made of the fact that nearly 90 per cent of respondents called for a clearer understanding of which type of specialist provides care for patients with facial palsy.

Baroness Merron: To ask His Majesty's Government what specialist provision is available for “further support or counselling if there are emotional consequences of persistent facial paralysis or paresis”, as mentioned in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines for Bell’s palsy referral.

Lord Markham: Disability within the Equality Act 2010 is not defined through each specific condition, but rather in general terms. The general definition of disability, for the purposes of the act, is a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.A person with facial paralysis or facial palsy may experience difficulties with communication, which may have a substantial and long-term effect, in accordance with the act. The Government is committed to supporting everyone’s mental health and wellbeing, and ensuring that the right support is in place, including for those with health conditions such as Bell’s palsy.We have made it clear to local commissioners that we expect NHS Talking Therapies to be integrated into physical healthcare pathways. Our NHS Long Term Plan commits to an additional £2.3 billion a year for the expansion of mental health services by 2024, so that an additional two million people, including those with Bell’s palsy, can access National Health Service-funded mental health support. The Department received Facial Palsy UK’s survey on pathways of care for people with facial palsy on 27 February 2024. We will reply as soon as possible.

Breast Cancer: Screening

Baroness Merron: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Markham on 1 February (HL1933),what are the agreed efficiency standards following restoration of breast screening services since the COVID-19 pandemic; how this decision was made; and by whom.

Baroness Merron: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Markham on 1 February (HL1933),what were the agreed efficiency standards for breast cancer screening prior to the restoration of services since the COVID-19 pandemic; and what are the agreed efficiency standards now.

Lord Markham: The standards for breast screening include an acceptable uptake and coverage level of greater than or equal to 70%, and an achievable uptake and coverage level of greater than or equal to 80%. Full details about the changes to breast screening standards before and after COVID-19, are available on the GOV.UK website, in an online only format.

Facial Palsy

Baroness Merron: To ask His Majesty's Government where the overall responsibility for patients with facial palsy sits within the NHS.

Lord Markham: Care for people with facial palsy may be delivered by a number of specialties, depending on its cause. Facial palsy will often present in primary care, and if there are additional concerning features, the patient may be referred directly to the hospital as an emergency, where they may be looked after by medical or stroke teams. Rehabilitation professionals may be needed to support recovery.Facial palsy without additional features is often managed in general practice. If time and treatment does not result in a satisfactory outcome, then the patient should be referred to a hospital, to be reviewed by a neurologist and other members of the team as needed, for example speech and language therapists, psychologists, or neurosurgeons.

Vorasidenib

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of international phase 3 clinical trials which suggest that Vorasidenib could offer a new treatment option for low-grade glioma; and whether they intend to make it available to brain tumour patients.

Lord Markham: If the manufacturer applies for a marketing authorisation in the United Kingdom, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency will consider clinical trial evidence in making a licensing decision. Subject to licensing, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence will consider the clinical trial evidence, when making decisions on whether vorasidenib should be recommended for routine National Health Service funding.

Flour: Folic Acid

Lord Dodds of Duncairn: To ask His Majesty's Government what progress has been made on introducing the mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid to help prevent neural tube defects in foetuses.

Lord Markham: We remain committed to bringing forward legislation to introduce mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid. On 17 January 2024, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs published the response to the United Kingdom-wide consultation on amending the Bread and Flour Regulations, which is available at the GOV.UK website, in an online only format.The Government has notified the World Trade Organization and the European Commission in accordance with international obligations, with a view to making the legislative changes later in 2024.

Primary Care Networks: General Practitioners

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to amend the Additional Role Reimbursement Scheme to allow the scheme to fund additional GPs, and what assessment they have made of the number of GPs now seeking and unable to obtain employment.

Lord Markham: The Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme aims to grow and diversify the general practice workforce. The scheme provides funding for 26,000 additional roles in primary care networks, to help create bespoke multi-disciplinary teams. General practitioners are not currently included in the scheme as they are a core role within general practice, and the recruitment of general practitioners is currently funded through global sum. We remain committed to growing the general practice workforce as well as number of doctors in general practice. There were 2,799 more full time equivalent doctors working in general practice in December 2023, compared to December 2019.

Integrated Care Boards

Baroness Merron: To ask His Majesty's Government whatassessment they have made of the adequacy of integrated care board performance reports; and what discussions they have had with NHS England concerning that matter.

Baroness Merron: To ask His Majesty's Government whatassessment they have made of the effectiveness of integrated care boards in the financial year 2022–23.

Lord Markham: The Department undertakes regular discussion with NHS England on the performance and oversight of the integrated care boards (ICBs). Statutory ICBs were established on 1 July 2022 and since then they have made real progress in understanding the health needs of their populations, setting out their plans, developing the infrastructure needed for collaboration, and bringing health and social care organisations together to serve the needs of their communities.NHS England conducted an annual performance assessment of the ICBs for the 2022/23 financial year, from July 2022 to March 2023, and published the guidance Annual assessment of integrated care boards 2022-23: supporting guidance, for the ICBs. While conducting the assessments, NHS England considered how successfully each ICB: led the National Health Service within its integrated care system (ICS); performed its statutory functions; delivered on guidance set out by NHS England or my Rt hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care regarding its functions, with a particular focus on the objectives set out in the priorities and operational planning guidance; and contributed to each of the four fundamental purposes of an ICS, which are improving population health and healthcare, tackling unequal outcomes and access, enhancing productivity and value for money, and helping the National Health Service support broader social and economic development.These annual assessments included an assessment of how well the ICB performed the following specific duties, required under the terms of the NHS Act 2006, as amended by the Health and Care Act 2022:- the duty to improve the quality of services;- the duty to reduce inequality of access and outcome;- the duty to take appropriate advice;- the duty to facilitate, promote, and use research;- the duty to have regard to the effect of decisions, also known as the triple aim;- the duty to consult patients and the public about decisions that affect them;- the financial duties; and- the duty to contribute to wider local strategies.NHS England published a summary of the assessment reports as part of its 2022/23 Annual Report and Accounts. All ICBs also published their individual Annual Reports and Accounts for 2022/23, on their websites. The Department is working with NHS England on its approach to the annual performance assessment for 2023/24.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Furs: Trade

Baroness Redfern: To ask His Majesty's Government when they intend to publish the results of the 2021 consultation on the fur market in Great Britain.

Lord Douglas-Miller: In the Action Plan for Animal Welfare, Defra committed to explore potential action in relation to the import of fur from abroad. The Call for Evidence Defra published in 2021 was a key step in delivering that commitment. A summary of replies received should be published in due course. In the meantime, we are continuing to build our evidence base on the fur sector, which will be used to inform any future action on the fur trade.  We have also commissioned a report from our expert Animal Welfare Committee into the issue of what constitutes responsible sourcing in the fur industry. This report will support our understanding of the fur industry and help to inform our next steps.

Wales Office

Foreign Relations: Wales

Lord Wigley: To ask His Majesty's Government what directives or guidelines they have issued to the Welsh Government in relation to overseas initiatives on matters related to devolved responsibilities.

Lord Harlech: The FCDO remains fully committed to working collaboratively with the Welsh Government and other Devolved Administrations on overseas initiatives which may support the delivery of devolved policy objectives. The FCDO has developed internal guidance to ensure that the foreign affairs reservation is respected, including requiring a UK Government official to be present at meetings between devolved ministers and ministers of foreign governments. Since April 2023, the FCDO has supported over 15 overseas visits by Welsh Government Ministers. International activity undertaken by each of the Devolved Administrations will continue to be supported appropriately by Posts.

Restoration and Renewal Client Board

Palace of Westminster: Repairs and Maintenance

Lord Truscott: To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what has been the cost of the Restoration and Renewal programme to date; and whether there are any plans to scale-back future costs.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The total cost of the R&R Programme, from 2020-21 until the end of 2022-23, is £297m. This includes the costs of the Parliamentary Works Sponsor Body and Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority which were established in April and May 2020 respectively (including £5m of costs in April 2020 before the Delivery Authority was formally incorporated). It also includes the costs of Restoration and Renewal Client Team, which took over the sponsor function for the programme from the Sponsor Body in January 2023.The total forecast spend for the current financial year (2023-24) is £83m, which includes the costs of the Delivery Authority and the R&R Client Team.The Delivery Authority’s Main Estimate for 2024-25 is currently subject to parliamentary scrutiny and approval. As well as parliamentary approval being required for the initial budget provision, the Delivery Authority’s expenditure is subject to regular scrutiny and challenge throughout the financial year including by the R&R Client Team and House finance teams, Delivery Authority Board, R&R Programme Board, R&R Client Board and Parliamentary Works Estimates Commission.The Delivery Authority’s funding is based on what is required to deliver the key activities tasked to it by the R&R Client Team. The Delivery Authority seeks to ensure that its expenditure remains taut and proportionate for the activities required to deliver the Programme and constantly re-assesses its resources, scaling up or down as appropriate. The R&R Programme routinely publishes information on costs, for instance in quarterly reports, annual reports, and memoranda provided to the Parliamentary Works Estimates Commission.

Treasury

Music: EU Countries

Lord Berkeley of Knighton: To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Treasury has made any assessment of the economic effect of post-Brexit arrangements for the music industry, including the altered ability of British artists to tour and perform in Europe.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: We are committed to supporting and promoting a thriving live music industry and ensuring the continued growth of this vital and vibrant sector. The music industry is one of the UK's greatest success stories, producing an extraordinary level of talent recognised and respected the world over.Since the UK’s exit from the EU, the vast majority of Member States have clarified arrangements or introduced easements to allow visa and work permit free routes for UK performers for some short-term touring. This includes most of the UK’s biggest touring markets such as France, Germany, and the Netherlands. It also includes Spain, which changed its position following engagement from the UK Government and industry.The Government works closely with the sector and continue to engage with the few remaining Member States to improve arrangements or clarify guidance.The Government is committed to supporting the UK's brilliant artists to adapt to the new arrangements as part of the Creative Industries Sector Vision, that is why we announced that funding for the Music Exports Growth Scheme (MEGS) will be tripled to £3.2 million over the next two years. This will enable touring artists to break into new international markets.The Government also provides generous support for orchestras to tour through orchestra tax relief, which currently has a rate of 50%. At Spring Budget 2024, the Government announced that orchestras will permanently receive a rate of 45% from 1 April 2025.

Taxation: Electronic Government

Lord Lipsey: To ask His Majesty's Government why they do not include a postal address option on tax code notices to enable digitally excluded people to contact HMRC more easily.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: HMRC removed postal address from notices to encourage customers to use their digital services and interact with them online through their Personal Tax Account. Customers can submit queries electronically via HMRC’s iForm, which is handled by a dedicated team similar post correspondence.For those unable to engage online, HMRC continues to provide support through telephone, including the Extra Support Service. This service is for customers who cannot contact HMRC due to health or personal issues. They can request phone, video, or in-person appointments when calling the helplines, and HMRC’s advisers will assess their circumstances to offer the best option for them.More information can be found on the Extra Support Service at:Get help from HMRC if you need extra support: Help you can get - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Arts: Northern Ireland

Lord Dodds of Duncairn: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the economic benefit to creative industries in Northern Ireland of the tax measures announced in the Spring Budget.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Government recognises the cultural and economic value of the UK’s world-leading creative sector. At Spring Budget 2024 the Government went further to support the sector through the creative sector tax reliefs, which companies in Northern Ireland benefit from.The announcements include a new tax credit for independent UK films with budgets of less than £15 million and a 5 percentage point increase in tax relief UK visual effects costs in film and high-end TV.The Government also announced that from 1 April 2025, orchestras, museums, galleries and theatres will benefit from tax relief set permanently at 45% (for touring productions and all orchestra productions) and 40% for non-touring productions).These measures will apply UK-wide.

Devolution: Northern Ireland

Lord Weir of Ballyholme: To ask His Majesty's Government what is the total amount of (1) resource expenditure, and (2) capital expenditure, repurposed from previously allocated funding to form part of the package of overall funding offered to restore devolution in Northern Ireland.

Lord Weir of Ballyholme: To ask His Majesty's Government whatareas of previously allocated expenditure within the Northern Ireland Block Grant were repurposed to form part of the package for restored devolution in Northern Ireland.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The UK Government is providing the Northern Ireland Executive with a comprehensive £3.3 billion spending settlement to stabilise public services, better manage public finances and pave the way for transformation of public services.Within this package, as set out by the UK Government last month, we are providing the Northern Ireland Executive with £708 million to support public services over five years from 2024-25 to 2028-29. This is comprised of £85 million new funding and removing the ring-fence on £623 million of existing Northern Ireland funding streams.As the £623 million being un-ringfenced is from unallocated Northern Ireland funding streams, none of the Northern Ireland Executive’s block grant has been repurposed as part of the UK Government’s financial package.

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Department for Culture, Media and Sport: BBC

Lord Birt: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made ofthe comments made by the retiring Chair of the BBC about the increasing frequency of interventions on BBC matters by the Secretary of State forCulture, Media and Sport.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay: The BBC is operationally and editorially independent of the Government. As it is a public service broadcaster funded by licence fee-payers, it is right that the Government engages constructively with the BBC to ensure that it upholds the highest standards expected by the public.As its sponsor department, DCMS maintains regular contact with the BBC on a number of issues. DCMS is grateful for Dame Elan Closs Stephens's constructive engagement whilst Acting Chairman of the BBC.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

National Security Online Information Team

Baroness Chakrabarti: To ask His Majesty's Government what guidance, if any, they provide to ensure that the work of theNational Security Online Information Team is compliant with protection of the rights to freedom of expression and privacy; and whether they will publish that guidance.

Viscount Camrose: The Government firmly believes that people must be able to debate and discuss issues freely. Preserving individuals’ right to freedom of expression is therefore a key principle which underpin National Security and Online Information Team’s (NSOIT’s) work.The NSOIT tackles online attempts to manipulate the information environment while respecting the right to free speech and privacy, by only monitoring themes and trends - not individuals. The team is focused on threats posed by foreign states as well as risks to election integrity.NSOIT has policies and procedures in place, in accordance with all applicable legislation, to ensure that individuals are not monitored and their rights are respected. NSOIT has a privacy notice which sets out how data will be processed and this is regularly reviewed and updated. A copy will also be published on gov.uk shortly. However, the Government does not plan to publish its detailed compliance policy, as to do so would give malign actors, including hostile states, insights into NSOIT capabilities and specific areas of focus.

Department for Work and Pensions

Pension Funds

Baroness Hayman: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the letter fromViscount Younger of Leckie toBaroness Hayman dated 6 July 2023,whenofficials willhold a briefing for peers on their work on pension fund trustees and fiduciary duty.

Viscount Younger of Leckie: The pension industry stakeholder roundtables planned this spring will explore interpretations of fiduciary duty in relation to climate change and responsible investments. Following these the Department will ensure a briefing session is held in which interested Parliamentarians will have the opportunity to provide insight and discuss the conclusions drawn from these events.